Drummer Anika Nilles recently shared insights into her unique preparation process for Rush's “Fifty Something” reunion tour.

Speaking with Rick Beato, Nilles detailed how she approached learning the band's extensive catalog for the opening night in Los Angeles, which was met with praise from fans and contemporaries like Mike Portnoy.

Nilles highlighted her choice of a Bubinga drum kit for the tour, explaining its advantages for large-scale performances.

"For huge stages and big venues, the Bubinga works really good," she stated, noting its "bottom end" and "phat" sound.

While she typically uses a Maple kit for its balanced frequencies, the Bubinga kit, which she also used on the Jeff Beck tour, provides the "super punchy tone" required for larger venues, despite being "too boomy" for smaller settings.

Her method for mastering Rush's complex music was particularly unconventional.

Nilles admitted, "I have no idea how I'm learning that, but somehow it's working because I learned those songs in a completely different way." Unlike her usual approach of listening, creating quick visual charts, and then playing, she found this method ineffective for Rush's material.

Instead, she focused on listening, breaking the songs into manageable "chunks," and learning them step by step.

This approach was necessary due to the time constraints and the inherent feel of the music, which she found difficult to transcribe.

**Joining the Rush Reunion**

Anika Nilles secured her role in the reunion tour through Geddy Lee’s bass technician, John ‘Skully’ McIntosh, who had previously worked with Jeff Beck.

Upon joining, Nilles immersed herself in Rush's history.

"I was diving directly into the Rush rabbit hole and just listened to everything I could catch – music, videos, live shows – everything you could find online, just to get to know the songs a bit better, because I just knew a bunch," she explained.

Nilles also noted that the process felt like a collective re-learning experience, as Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson had not performed as Rush for over a decade.

"We all kind of started a little bit together from scratch," she said, adding that this shared journey helped alleviate some of the pressure she might have otherwise felt as a newcomer.

This collaborative approach to re-engaging with the material is significant for fans, as it offers a glimpse into the band's dynamic as they return to the stage.